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they are not giving back to their communities. John Chukwudi Bako makes no such execuses! Even though he was orphaned at the tender age of 9, this has not stopped John from giving back to his community. At twenty-five (25), he is a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, where he studied International Relations, and the Coordinator of Action E3 (Education, Enlightenment & Eradication) on AIDS Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation. The organisation focuses on re-orienting and educating the public about the nature, effects, treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS, regardless of the mode of transmission. John was inspired to establish this initiative after he heard a heart-breaking story of a woman who was infected with HIV, by her husband, who eventually abandoned her and their new born baby. As John heard this terrible story over the radio, he began to imagine the pain, stigma and discrimination that this woman was being subjected to, simply because she was HIV Positive. He could not understand why her husband and family members abandoned her at such a critical stage in her life, at a time when she needed them most. One word came to his mind - ignorance. Soon after this experience, in 2001, when John was posted to Biu local government, Borno State for the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), he discovered that the people lacked basic fundamental enlightenment education on Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS. He deduced this from his daily interactions as a schoolteacher with students and youth in the area. Hence he decided to make some contributions to his host community by initiating a community service project on HIV/AIDS. This inspired the formation of what is known today as Action E3 on AIDS Nigeria. In the course of his service year, John’s initiative Action E3 On AIDS Nigeria with the support of relevant government agencies, local and international organizations, organized campaign/seminars on Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS in over twenty schools, two prisons, police stations, army barracks, factories, Churches, banks, and in a range of local businesses. John’s hard work was recognized and he received the Borno State Merit Award and was given a letter of recommendation from the Society for Family Health, Maiduguri, for his unique contribution in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Borno State. Since 2001, E3 has expanded its networks to Oyo, Delta, Edo, Akwa Ibom and Lagos. Over the past three years Action E3 has been able to reach out to over twenty thousand students and youth. These students in turn have established anti-HIV/AIDS clubs in their respective schools and communities. Lives of people including prisoners, military officers, policemen, staff of the federal Road Safety Commission, workers, Lagos commuters have been affected. The organization uses what is known today as Edutainment and Mobile Behaviour Change Communication (M.B.C.C) to reach out to large audiences with HIV/AIDS Information that will keep them alive. Action E3 on AIDS Nigeria has twelve staff. Five full-time, seven part time and close to fifty volunteers from its clubs in different schools. John Bako is a member of Illuminate, LEAP Africa’s Youth Leadership Programme in Lagos. He recently completed an internship with the Student and Youth Travel Organisation (SYTO) Ghana, organized by the Foundations for Africa’s Future Leadership, a joint UNDP/UNESCO Programme. For further information on Action E3 on AIDS Nigeria visit their website at www.actione3onaids.i8.com or email John Bako at actione3@yahoo.com or johnbako28@yahoo.com
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